After being envious over the lockdown period of all those teddy bears riding Untamed, I finally got my chance last week following a four-year period since my last WH visit.
First and foremost, Walibi Holland remains the outrageously fun theme park I remembered; one that Thorpe Park should be looking at for identity and tone of voice. Since my last visit, the Goliath area and surrounding part of the park has been themed into the speedway section, completing the look and feel of this part of the park. The entrance street has also received a few additional kicks of flavour to help coat it in the Walibi feel that runs consistently through the park. The biggest change since my last visit, however, is the Wilderness area.
Admittedly I wasn't the biggest fan of the graffiti overlay on the madhouse castle, however, it helps to tie the exterior into the area nicely in person whilst maintaining the pleasant theme inside. The 're-theme' of the Top Spin to Blast (if you can even call it a re-theme) isn't really noticeable, however, it's still an absolute riot to see the waterboarding of riders still remains in place.
Then, of course, there's the park's new headlining attraction. For anyone who hasn't ridden an RMC before from the UK, then it's likely either Untamed or Zadra will be your starting block. Untamed is a ludicrous cocktail of what makes RMCs exceptional rides. The jarring, popping air time is present, the wild unbanked transitions in the third quarter towards the bunny hops, all tied together seamlessly with the glass-smooth, fluid ride experience RMC has become the connoisseur of delivering. The hang-time doesn't quite compete with some of its older relatives, but this can be forgiven on the sheer principle of the ecstatic sensations it delivers on its rampage through from the top of the lift hill to the brake run.
Then there's riding it at night. With an 11pm park close, we managed to reserve a slot bang-on 11 guaranteeing a ride in the pitch black of darkness. Whilst the American RMC counterparts are typically bug-infested and floodlit at night, Untamed comes into its own by hurtling you through elements that you know are there from previous re-rides, yet aren't expecting on cue due to no visibility whatsoever. The result is a mindblowing experience that no matter how desensitised you've become to roller coasters, will still offer some form of an adrenaline kick.
Untamed is everything Walibi Holland needed and deserved. The theme is wonderfully conveyed and turns the concept of a wilderness into something of a place you want to get lost in, whilst maintaining some lovely nods to Robin Hood that gave way for something bonkers to be put in its place.
